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With gas prices in Greenwich at some of the highest levels in the country, a family-owned gas station in Old Greenwich is keeping its prices for full-service at self-service rates.
"We do it as a courtesy," said Peter Parente, co-owner with brothers Joe and Ralph of Soundview Service Center North, a Sunoco station. "It's a way to make new customers who may come in to get service in our shop. That's our primary way of making money."
The family has for 11 years owned the business at 35 Arcadia Road in Old Greenwich, an additional locale to their other station in Mamaroneck, N.Y., which has been in business for 31 years. The station offers strictly full-service for fill-ups.
The price of a gallon of regular fuel is $3.37 for cash customers and $3.49 for credit-card users. More credit cards are being used, said Parente, but cash customers get a "reward" for helping the station avoid the 3 percent fee banks charge.
But just a short drive away, Pete Pennella, owner of the Mobil gas station at 205 Sound Beach Ave. in Old Greenwich, is setting more standard prices for full service. "Do you see what happens out there?" Pennella said. "We don't just pump the gas for you: our guys wash windows, check tires and fluids."
As of Sunday, the price at Pennella's station was $3.54 for self-service regular fuel and $3.79 for full-service regular. "When it says full service, you get full service, so prices have to be higher than self-service," said Pennella.
The debate on full-service versus self-service aside, customers are willing to pay the price. "I don't really think about" the price of gas, said Frank Loverro, who spends about $60 to fill his Jeep Wrangler. "I think a gallon of gas is like a gallon of milk. You're going to need it anyway."
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